Laser Treatments

Laser skin resurfacing can improve skin tone, texture, and appearance by treating common concerns such as age spots, pigmentation, and fine lines and wrinkles. Brightening skin, removing red veins, and treating symptoms caused by rosacea and eczema are all possible when the right laser is matched to your skin. There are two primary types of lasers, ablative and non-ablative. Both types of lasers are capable of yielding dramatic improvements on skin by resurfacing and rejuvenating.

Ablative lasers

Ablative lasers, such as CO2 lasers, are known to produce the best clinical results and they work by vaporizing the top dermal layers to produce healing, restructuring, and encouraging collagen synthesis. These lasers are highly recommended for treating visible signs of aging with results that last up to five years. However, ablative lasers are the most aggressive and can require up to two weeks of recovery. Ablative lasers are sometimes considered an alternative to a facelift and recovery can include intense redness and swelling.

Non-ablative Lasers

Non-ablative lasers aren’t as aggressive and work by heating the tissue—not vaporizing it. Heating also stimulates collagen production and will fill in lines and wrinkles while correcting imperfections. Non-ablative lasers do not resurface the skin, which means multiple treatments are often required to achieve the desired results. However, there is virtually no downtime with non-ablative lasers.

There are benefits to both types of lasers, including:

Looking years younger and restoring confidence
Removing signs of aging and sun damage
Delaying more aggressive procedures such as a facelift
Encouraging the body to synthesize more collagen

Frequently Asked Questions

How does VBeam use dye as a treatment?Lily2020-05-07T16:16:01-07:00

How does VBeam use dye as a treatment?

VBeam is unique because it’s a pulsed dye laser, using laser energy and dye in pulses to achieve results. VBeam is effective at treating blood vessels that are dilated (such as with rosacea) and is also known as a vascular laser. These types of lasers target hemoglobin without damaging nearby tissue.

Does the Ruby laser take a revolutionary approach?Lily2020-05-07T16:15:10-07:00

Does the Ruby laser take a revolutionary approach?

The Ruby laser is one of the latest lasers available on the market, and it reduces hyperpigmentation while lightening the skin. The Ruby laser releases light pulses at different wavelengths and penetrates deep with short pulses. This allows it to eliminate freckles, birth marks, and other denser types of pigmentation. It can be used on any pigment except red.

Is eMatrix a better laser for me?Lily2020-05-07T16:14:31-07:00

Is eMatrix a better laser for me?

eMatrix resurfaces the skin in a series of treatments (usually 4 – 5 sessions). It can tighten the skin, improve texture, and address mild to moderate issues such as wrinkles, stretch marks, and scarring. This laser is known for achieving results usually reserved for more aggressive lasers but without the downtime. eMatrix uses radiofrequency energy to heat skin under the surface without destroying it. Downtime is just 48 hours on average compared to the several days needed when using other lasers.

What does ResurFX do differently?Lily2020-05-07T16:13:31-07:00

What does ResurFX do differently?

This laser is also from Lumenis, but it is non-ablative and fractional for a gentler approach. It can be used to improve stretch marks, wrinkles, acne scars, discoloration, and more. It does not destroy the skin and the fractional aspect means it only targets a fraction of the skin’s surface. Clients can still enjoy great results but with no downtime.

Is the UltraPulse or AcuPulse laser best for me?Lily2020-05-07T16:12:24-07:00

Is the UltraPulse or AcuPulse laser best for me?

Both are ablative CO2 lasers that generate light beams that are absorbed by the targeted tissue. The lasers heat up the water in the skin’s tissue to a point in which evaporation is reached. UltraPulse and AcuPulse are products manufactured by Lumenis, and both use high power, short wave pulse technology to optimize treatment results and comfort while reducing downtime. UltraPulse is the most powerful CO2 laser available and penetrates deeper than others. However, AcuPulse features an ablative laser “workstation” with the latest technology for versatility. During your consultation, you’ll learn more about the differences between these two and other lasers.

More Information on Lasers and Lights

The terms laser therapy and light therapy are sometimes used interchangeably, but this is not correct. Laser and light therapy work differently, and one of the most effective and well-known light therapies is IPL. Also known as intense pulsed light therapy, IPL uses light to treat spots, wrinkles, and even unwanted hair. Unlike a laser that focuses a single wavelength of light, IPL releases light in various wavelengths similar to a photoflash. The light in IPL therapy is more scattered and penetrates to the second layer of skin without hurting the top layer. Pigments absorb the light and get destroyed after converting the light to heat.

Both laser skin resurfacing and light therapy can be used with other treatments for optimal results. Some of the most popular procedures to pair with these treatments include injectables like dermal fillers and Botox and aesthetic services such as chemical peels. More aggressive procedures, such as a facelift, can also be paired with laser skin resurfacing and light therapy. Surgical procedures usually remove excess skin and tighten the target area, but do not improve the quality of the skin itself—and that is where laser skin resurfacing at Spectrum Plastic Surgery can maximize results.